Snow, wind, rain – this weather is almost making us glad that we’re cooped up indoors. Not only is it absolutely freezing, but our skin is dry, cracked and flaky and cranking up that central heating is only making things worse (it dries out the air causing moisture to evaporate from the skin much faster). It really is a double-edged sword. Whether you struggle with year-round chapped skin or it just crops up in winter, urea is the ingredient to get to know.
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1 What is urea?Urea is a natural moisturising factor meaning it occurs naturally. It’s a compound found within the layers of the skin, there to retain the skin’s moisture (it’s pretty good at it too). To add it to skincare products, it is manufactured synthetically within a lab to replicate the natural stuff.
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2 Why's it so good?
Well, firstly, urea is a humectant. Humectants attract water molecules, like a magnet. This keeps skin hydrated for much longer, prevents moisture evaporating from the skin (very important during winter thanks to the aforementioned central heating) and strengthens your skin’s natural barrier.
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3 Any other benefits?
Urea is not only a humectant, but it’s also keratolytic. This means that it lightly exfoliates the skin by breaking down dead skin cells and speeding up cell turnover – at the same time as retaining moisture. The result? Smoother, softer and more hydrated skin.
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4 How do you apply it?
Urea doesn’t come on its own, it’s added into other creams, emollients and moisturisers to boost its effect. Look out for different strengths (usually between 5 and 40%) – the higher the percentage the more moisturising the formula. The best bit? It works just as well for your body as it does your face,
FAQs
What is urea and how does it benefit your skin?
Urea is a natural moisturising factor found in the skin that helps retain moisture. It hydrates the skin, strengthens the skin’s barrier, and prevents moisture from evaporating, especially important during dry or cold weather.
How does urea help with dry or chapped skin?
Urea attracts water molecules as a humectant, keeping your skin hydrated for longer periods. This helps relieve dryness, flakiness and chapped areas, making it ideal for use during winter or if you have year-round dryness.
Can you use urea on both your face and body?
Yes, urea works just as well for your face and body. It is included in creams, emollients and moisturisers to improve hydration and smoothness wherever applied.
What other benefits does urea provide besides hydration?
Urea is also keratolytic, meaning it gently exfoliates by breaking down dead skin cells and speeding up cell turnover. This dual action results in smoother, softer, and more hydrated skin.
How do you apply urea and in what strength?
Urea is incorporated into moisturisers and creams, usually at concentrations between 5% and 40%. Higher percentages provide more intense moisturising benefits. Apply the product as directed to target both dry and rough areas of your skin.